Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 22
How did he find me? Tia asked herself. How did he find me?
She was curled in a fetal position with her back firmly pressed against the brick building. She hid shaking from the cold, and her fear, behind the dumpster she found in the conveniently empty alleyway. She didn't know when she had gotten there exactly nor how long. Personally, to her, it felt like an eternity. As she had to wait and pray Quick Shot didn't get her before Judy did.
"Miss Mustela!" A man called a few blocks over. "Miss Mustela!"
Tia covered her mouth in fear hoping she wouldn't be found. She couldn't be found. Not until it was Judy that was looking for her.
Multiple shadows emerged from the bottom of the dumpster.
He found me! Tia couldn't breathe as the fierce beating of her heart drowned out her senses.
"Miss Mustela." A jaguar pulled the dumpster away from the petrified ferret. "We work for the Shadow. Judy sends her regards."
That last sentence threw Tia out of her shock.
"Judy sent you?" She asked alarmed. "…P-prove it!"
The jaguar accompanied by a lioness and a wolf looked perplexed at how to answer the scared ferret. Part of him was tempted to take her by force and just be done with it. But when the Shadow tells you to track, retrieve, and protect the target being forcibly rude was not an option. This now brings the question of how to prove they meant no harm to the ferret. Luckily for him, the lioness sensed his distress and stepped in.
"We have no proof for you other than our words. And the common knowledge that it is a death wish to carelessly say you work for the Shadow. That being said, we are designated to protect you. So, if you wish to stay soaking wet, hiding behind this dumpster with a high chance of dying from hypothermia…be my guest. Or you can come along with us to a safe location provided by the Shadow. Where you will be kept warm, well-fed…and hidden well from Clifford Ermine."
Tia looked between the jaguar, wolf, and lioness with great hesitation. Finally, Tia decided to stand up from her crouching position.
"I don't trust you…but I trust Judy." Tia started walking through the trio of Hunters. "And Judy trusted the Shadow."
The three Hunters watched as she walked away perplexed on how to respond.
"You coming? I'm freezing here!" Tia called after them her defensive attitude of confidence showing in full force.
"…I guess we follow…her." The wolf finally spoke as he raced after the ferret.
The jaguar and lioness simply shrugged their shoulders before following in pursuit.
"Miss Mustela, we need to protect you!"
"That why I told you to start moving your butts and get me someplace warm!" Tia yelled.
This isn't going to be fun. The trio realized relatively quickly.
Despite these thoughts, Tia was quiet and easy to deal with once a car arrived to pick them up. Tia was surprised to find themselves at a hotel. It was one of those high-class hotels where one didn't rent a room but instead rented the whole floor. And the higher the room one was able to rent the more prestigious one was. Tia was escorted in through the doors surrounded by the Hunters and two armed hippos. The Shadow sure does keep an open mind about the species he hires. Most criminals these days keep prey behind their computers while predators do the dirty work.
The front desk monkey receptionist heeded them no mind. She just smiled happily as they walked on by. She was used to this scene of some powerful figures crew bringing in someone who clearly did not belong at this hotel.
Tia was no longer doubting whether if she was safe with these Hunters or not. Quick Shot wouldn't even be able to afford the basement of a place like this. But she had a fairly good idea that the Shadow could easily afford a mid-level room at least.
They boarded the elevator with the two hippos' staying behind. Looking at the keypad Tia noted there were 118 floors. Tia imagined the guards were going to press a floor number in the 40's or 50's…nope! She watched with great interest as the wolf Hunter pressed the button labeled with the number 118.
Oh, shit. Tia internally panicked.
The ride up was slow and uncomfortable as Tia was digesting just how powerful the Shadow is. She knew he was more powerful than Quick Shot but…this damn powerful. For a lack of a better word, Tia's mind was blown.
"Miss Mustela?" The lioness asked hearing the ferret's heartbeat begin to race. "Are you alright?"
"What…what is the Shadow like?"
"…"
"…Nothing?"
"Just make sure not to displease him." Were the only comforting words the lioness could offer.
Tia felt more scared from those words than when she faced Mr. Big.
"…great." Tia mumbled pathetically.
"Heads up." The wolf called. "We're nearly there."
Tia tried to calm her nerves as the elevator dinged for one last time while the doors slowly opened. It was dark and cool with soft lighting. It was an overall calm atmosphere. But isn't that where all the most dangerous people hide.
"Do we just-"
The trio Hunters ignored Tia's words and walked with her out of the elevator.
"I guess that answers my question." Tia tried to joke to calm her nerves.
It was a large layout that could easily fit more than fifty people. The kitchen, living room, and barroom were empty. But a hallway was softly glowing leading to a room on the far side.
I guess we go that way. Tia stated as they practically ushered her like a sheep into the direction of the hallway.
The hallway led to an open doorway where the majority of lights were off except one single set. That illuminated a bed set up against the far wall. Surrounding the bed was a set of medical equipment one would see in an expensive hospital. But Tia didn't focus on that. Instead, she focused on the occupant lying motionless in the bed. A set of I.V. units were flowing into her arm, an oxygen mask covered her face, and bandages were wrapped excessively around her head and torso.
"Judy." Tia ignored the Hunters as she made a mad dash to Judy who was lying unconscious.
Click.
Tia skidded to a halt, only a few feet away from Judy, as a fox appeared. He wore remnants of what she expected to be an expensive suit. Only the white buttoned-down shirt, dress pants, and shoes remained of the ensemble. He was holding a scotch glass that he had calmly set down on the nightstand by Judy's bed. His eyes never left Judy's face. As if he was waiting for her to wake up within the next moment. And desperately wanted to be the first person her eyes would see.
"We finally meet." The fox calmly turned his gaze to the ferret for just a split second. "Cynthia Mustela."
AN: I added some more context to CH 21 as I felt it was lacking. Not necessary to re-read to enjoy the story, obviously. LOL
